Category: Art

Ali Mesiwala, MD, works as a neurosurgeon and researcher in California. Shortly after completing his postdoctoral training, he joined the Southern California Center for Neuroscience and Spine, where he serves as a co-medical director. A dedicated philanthropist, Ali Mesiwala, MD, also helped establish the Claremont Museum of Art (CMA).

In an effort to celebrate the artistic legacy of the region, CMA regularly welcomes new exhibitions, such as its recent Kindred Natures: Aldo Casanova and James Fuller exhibit. Running from December 2, 2017, to March 31, 2018, the exhibit focused on work from painter James Fuller and sculptor Aldo Casanova, two local artists who divided their careers between creating their own work and teaching new generations of artists.

Born in 1929, Aldo Casanova was inspired by nature’s splendor. Much of his work was a comment on the environmental and political condition of the planet and included both abstract organic forms and naturalistic portrayals. During his career, he was recognized repeatedly, including by being designated a fellow of the National Sculpture Society, and taught at such institutions as San Francisco State University and SUNY Albany.

Meanwhile, James Fuller was born in 1927 and matured as an artist in California during the years after World War II. Although he was an accomplished painter, printmaker, and sculptor, much of his life was dedicated to teaching other artists. He served on the faculty at Scripps College for close to three decades and has his work in public and private collections throughout the state.

A resident of Claremont, California, Ali Mesiwala, MD, is a neurosurgeon with years of experience as a doctor, educator, entrepreneur, and consultant. Ali Mesiwala, MD, applies his expertise as chief of the St. Bernardine Medical Center Division of Neurological Surgery and the medical director of Chaparral Medical Group. Outside of his career, Dr. Mesiwala supports the Claremont Museum of Art.

The Claremont Museum of Art was incorporated in 2004 to promote the city of Claremont’s art and cultural history. In addition to exhibition and events, the Claremont museum maintains several educational programs in support of its mission. These include ARToon, an after-school education program that targets preteens.

Currently in its second year of operation, ARToon is an after school art instruction program for pre-teens. The program teaches skills related to the development of unique cartoon characters with the ultimate goal of creating a comic book or graphic novel concept.

While enrolled in the ARToon program, up to 40 students create a large format page for their concept, which is later exhibited at a public art reception. ARToon is made possible through a partnership with El Roble Intermediate School and is led by an art teacher and a professional cartoonist.

Ali Mesiwala, MD, is an established neurosurgeon in San Bernardino, California. The chief of two surgical departments at St. Bernardine Medical Center, Dr. Ali Mesiwala also holds various other professional appointments. In addition to his medical work, Dr. Mesiwala is a founding member of Claremont Museum of Art.

Established in 1987 with the aim of celebrating the cultural heritage of Claremont, California, the Claremont Museum of Art is located within the city’s historic College Heights Lemon Packing House. The museum’s permanent collection is made up of close to 80 artworks by many different artists, some of whom donated their own works to the collection.

In addition to the art itself, Claremont Museum hosts various educational initiatives, most notable of which is Project ARTstART, which teaches high school students how to share their passion for art with their younger peers. Sixty high school students currently participate in the program, spreading their appreciation to students at three elementary schools.

In previous years, the museum has also overseen the ARToon program, which engaged adolescents in the creation of cartoon art, and a school-based photography program entitled ARTpix.

Neurosurgeon Ali Mesiwala, MD, serves as the medical director of the Chaparral Medical Group, Inc., in Pomona, California. In addition, Ali Mesiwala, MD, is a founding member of the Claremont Museum of Art.

In response to diminishing art programs in local schools, the Claremont Museum of Art has provided the Claremont, California, community with a number of educational art programs, including Project ARTstART, ARTpix, and Family Art.

Through Project ARTstART, high school-aged children are provided the opportunity to communicate their appreciation for the fine arts to elementary school students. Over the last six years, the program has aggregated a leadership force of 60 high school students teaching at three local schools, as well as a number of college mentors, who oversee their activities.

The ARTpix program, designed in the mold of the popular ARToon program, which emphasized the art behind professional cartooning, is based in the El Roble Intermediate School and focuses on the art of photography. Finally, the museum’s Family Art program has established a presence at various festivals throughout the Claremont region, offering engaging artistic resources to both children and adults.